This article lists the oldest extant buildings in Hawaii, including extant buildings and structures constructed prior to and during the United States rule over Hawaii. Only buildings built prior to 1880 are suitable for inclusion on this list, or the building must be the oldest of its type.
In order to qualify for the list, a structure must:
- be a recognizable building (defined as any human-made structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or continuous occupancy);
- incorporate features of building work from the claimed date to at least 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) in height and/or be a listed building.
This consciously excludes ruins of limited height, roads and statues. Bridges may be included if they otherwise fulfill the above criteria. Dates for many of the oldest structures have been arrived at by radiocarbon dating or dendrochronology and should be considered approximate. If the exact year of initial construction is estimated, it will be shown as a range of dates.
List of oldest buildings
 | This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (November 2022) |
| Building | Image | Location | First built | Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Oldest Frame House (Ka Hale Lāʻau) | 
|
Honolulu, Hawaii | 1821 | Residence | Oldest frame house in Hawaii; boards were produced in New England and then shipped to Hawaii to be assembled for the mission house. |
| The Chamberlain House (Ka Hale Kamalani) | 
|
Honolulu, Hawaii | 1831 | Residence/Mission | Part of mission site, built from coral blocks cut from reefs offshore and lumber salvaged from ships. |
| Mokuaikaua Church | 
|
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii | 1835-1837 | Church | Oldest church in Hawaii. |
| Huliheʻe Palace | 
|
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii | 1838 | Palace | built by governor Kuakini, and later purchased by King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiʻolani |
| Kawaiahaʻo Church | 
|
Honolulu, Hawaii | 1836-1842 | Church | At one time the national church of the Hawaiian Kingdom and chapel of the royal family |
| The Print House (Ka Hale Paʻi) | 
|
Honolulu, Hawaii | 1841 | Commercial | Site of first materials printed in the Hawaiian language |
| Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace | 
|
Honolulu, Hawaii | 1843 | Church | Oldest Roman Catholic church in Hawaii |
| Punahou School's Old School Hall | 
|
Honolulu, Hawaii | 1851 | School | |
| Melchers Building | 
|
Honolulu, Hawaii | 1851 | Commercial | Earliest commercial building in downtown Honolulu. |
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Hawaii
- History of Hawaii
- Oldest buildings in the United States
References
- Official website https://missionhouses.org/
- Official website https://missionhouses.org/
- "Hawaii's 48 Preserved Buildings and Their Architectural Style". 9 June 2021.
- Official website https://kawaiahaochurch.com/
- Official website https://missionhouses.org/
- Official website http://www.cathedralofourladyofpeace.com/
- Schweizer, Niklaus Rudolf (2005). Turning Tide: The Ebb and Flow of Hawaiian Nationality. p. 134
External links
| State of Hawaii | |
|---|---|
| Honolulu (capital) | |
| Topics | |
| Society | |
| Main islands | |
| Northwestern Islands | |
| Notable communities | |
| Counties | |
| Pre-statehood history | |
 Hawaii portal | |